- Switching to recycled, unbleached paper towels
- Giving up my electric heating pad - I use to sleep with it most nights during the winter, but I gave it up more because Nate gets to hot.
- Banning all styrofoam
- Switching to a recyclable toothbrush
- Turning down my thermostat
- No more bottled water
- Switching to organic conditioner
- Switching from disposable tape-based lint rollers to felt ones
- Eating ‘locally’ (within Canada and the U.S.)
- Making all my bills electronic
- Checking tire pressure on my car
- Not buying a microwave (yes, disputable, see post for comments)
- Switching to natural, biodegradable handwash with recyclable container
- Switching to non-toxic, phosphate-free dishwasher detergent - Shelley had left behind dishwasher detergent and I felt it would be even worse to just throw it away, so once it is all gone, we will be switching.
- Running outside only (no treadmill) - how about just running in general
- Using tote bags, no more plastic bags
- Switching to recycled toilet paper
- Cancelling my cable
- Switching to corn-based, biodegradable cat litter
- Giving up disposable tissues, using handkerchiefs
- Using only natural, organic body lotions
- Permanently getting rid of any aerosol cans at home
- Changing over to natural glass and surface cleaner
- Signing up with my local Freecycle Network
- Making sure all the lights are turned off before I leave home
- Switching to natural body wash
- Using chemical-free, reusable cloth static-cling sheets in the dryer
- Unplugging anything that isn’t in use
- No more disposable plastic cutlery or plates
- Not driving my car on weekends - I am going to change this to only driving my car on the weekends. Nampa/Eagle are a little far to ride and this is usually where we go on the weekends.
- Putting away my humidifier for good
- Using a thermos for coffee and tea - since i don't drink either, lets replace this with reusable beverage container for water and diet pepsi.
- No more gift wrap
- Changing all my light bulbs to CFLs
- Switching to Eco-Dent floss
- Only drinking fair-trade, organic, locally roasted coffee
- Using only beeswax candles; or soy-based, as long as there’s no paraffin
- Returning my wine bottles to the Beer Store so they’re recycled properly
- Switching to natural toothpaste
- Changing over to a natural laundry detergent
- Eating only free-range, organic, hormone-free (and if possible local) meat, restricting my intake of beef and chicken to no more than once per week
- Not buying any more petroleum-based bath poufs and loufas - this will be a tough one.
- Signing up at GreenDimes.com to block junk mail and plant a tree every month
- Being conscientious about how much water I use; only turning on the taps at a “trickle” when washing hands or brushing teeth and keeping showers to five minutes
- Using the air-dry function on my dishwasher
- Consuming only locally brewed beer, organic when possible - for me I drink wine, and St Chappelle is loval
- No more using paper towels or hand-dryers in public bathrooms
- Investing in permanent laser hair removal rather than shaving or waxing forever - I can dream right??
- Only local and fair-trade chocolate
- Turning off my freezer
- Picking up litter when I see it - really wish I was better about this one.
- Properly disposing of my used batteries at a local hazardous waste depot
- Switching to eco-friendly dish detergent
- Changing to natural, paraben-free lip balm
- Only consuming locally grown, produced and cellared wine (from within Ontario)
- Purchasing “green” baking soda, incorporating it into household cleaning in place of harsher chemicals like bleach - didn't even know there was such a thing.
- Switching to natural shaving cream
- Switching to recycled (and recyclable) razors
- Only using one glass per day for water/milk/juice, one mug for coffee/tea and one wine glass
- Spending part of each day educating myself about environmental issues
- Using stainless steel rather than non-stick frying pan (takes less time to heat up)
- Not buying any more Q-tips
- Switching to natural deodorant - recently tried Christins favorite deodorant and hated it, so don't think I am switching from my Secret Platinum anytime soon.
- Recycling my used wine corks through the Bag-a-Cork program - should look into this.
- Giving up gum (especially the over-packaged kind)
- Not buying any more makeup remover pads
- Turning my oven off for good - there was a time in my life that I actually did this, but it was more because I didn't cook. LOL does that count??
- Using a natural bronzer
- Only buying loose-leaf tea in refillable packets
- Switching to natural, organic shampoo
- Only filling my kettle with the exact amount of water needed
- Shutting down my computer every day at work instead of just logging off
- Not using the air-conditioning in my car
- Following the “If it’s yellow, let it mellow…” rule - wonder how much Nate would like this one??
- Using matches instead of lighters
- Carbon-offsetting all of my air travel - Go Christin
- Using only the herbs and spices I can grow at home - mine died, I would like to try again though.
- Unplugging my whole fridge
- Weekly lobbying, letter-writing and petitioning on behalf of various environmental campaigns
- Requesting that my in-flight meals be vegetarian
- Not buying books from Amazon or Chapters/Indigo; only local, independent bookstores and only when necessary - uggg, but Amazon is cheaper, I have a book on the way right now.
- Purchasing all my music in mp3 format rather than CDs
- Getting allergy shots instead of buying packs of antihistamine pills, eye drops and nasal sprays
- Making sure there’s always at least one ‘green’ element in the gifts I give - would this one be to pushing though??
- Switching to an all-natural acne ointment
- No more ordering food by delivery
- No more take-out, unless I bring my own containers - not sure if the take out place would actually do this one??
- Always asking for no receipt, unless I really need one - if only it meant they wouldn't actually print on, other then just throwing it away. I already do this when getting gas or using an ATM
- Refilling all possible bottles (toilettries and household cleaning products); bringing my own plastic food containers to the bulk bins at the grocery store
- Switching to eco-friendly dry cleaners
- Using a PVC-free shower curtain liner
- Turning off my air-conditioning during the summer
- Recycling anything and everything that can be recycled — no excuses - Still happens every once in awhile, but feel tons of guilt about it. I threw away Nates Gateraid bottle at Garretts game Saturday night and I am still thinking about it. :-(
- Switching to natural, minimally packaged eyeshadow
- Switching to a natural bar soap and investing in a recyclable travelling case for it
- Sleeping naked - no roommates makes this one so much easier.
- Using a natural, mineral-based suntan lotion
- Not having any more baths - only because Nate thinks the tub only needs to get cleaned ever 2 months
- Letting my hair air dry - this one would take hours people
- Getting rid of face wash and makeup remover, using my bar soap instead
- Ordering smaller, more eco-friendly business cards
- Not using nail polish (or nail polish remover)
- Only watering my plants with greywater
- Only going to eco-friendly spas - if I ever when to spas maybe I would do this one.
- Picking weeds (in mom’s garden) by hand rather than with pesticide
- Using gauze instead of band-aids for minor cuts
- Switching to natural cat food
- Limiting my use of elevators
- Using cloths instead of paper towels for household cleaning
- Switching to natural hair dyes
- Raising environmental awareness through stickers, blogs and other media - does this blog count??
- Using GoodSearch instead of Google
- No plastic barf bags or packages of Gravol when hungover - lol
- Natural healing of sunburns (no more after-sun lotions)
- Only renting cars from companies that offer hybrids - I have tried so hard to find a place in Boise that rents a Prius. No go so far. Nate and I wanted to go to Boulder and thought this would be a fun way to make the trip, and it would make up for the rental fees in the cost of gas.
- Cancelling my subscription to a secondary newspaper
- Selling the car!
- Handwashing all my dishes - I do this half the time, so I only highlighted half of it.
- Buying tokens for public transit rather than tickets - need to do this one for nate, but rather in the form of a Month Pass
- Only buying cereal in bulk
- Using plastic-free, eco-friendly photo albums
- Limiting my ironing time/heat
- Not using my hair-straightening iron anymore
- Composting - One day
- Keeping the light in the bathroom off each morning while showering and brushing my teeth - I have always done this, but it is because it is more relaxing. One up for me :-)
- Using the same fork or spoon I’ve stirred with to eat
- Not using any more straws - this is a really hard one for me , with the amount of Diet pepsi I drink, but if i switch to a reusable beverage container with built in straw, this could work.
- Cutting my hair and keeping it short (so I need less product)
- Buying an all-natural kitchen/bathroom cleaner
- Using biodegradable pens
- Developing my photos in bigger batches/fewer deliveries
- No more Swiffer products - does it count if I don't ever use them.
- No more tabloids or trashy magazines - as if!!!
- Only staying at eco-friendly hotels
- Only buying sustainable and/or local clothing
- Not drinking anymore canned beverages - lets be honest, its not going to happen
- Not drinking anymore bottled beverages - ditto
- Purchasing only fair-trade and if possible local flowers
- Giving regularly to a green cause
- Only drinking organic hard liquor
- Only eating free-range eggs from accountable farms
- Restricting myself to organic dairy - Milk!!!!
- No more recreational driving/boating/etc - hate boats so this one is easy
- No more gyms, all exercise must be outdoors
- Eating food straight from the pot or pan
- Fixing something if it’s broken rather than getting a new one
- Bringing my own headphones for the plane - Only because I am cheap and they want to charge you sometimes.
- Using corn-based BioBags for the garbage bins
- Volunteering regularly with a green organization
- Investing in eco-friendly cat litter tray liners
- Switching to a natural toilet bowl cleaner
- No more smoking whatsoever - easy one!!
- Buying organic cotton or bamboo bedsheets
- Enforcing the shoes-off-at-the-door policy
- Using hand-held fans instead of electric ones
- Not buying any leather
- Making sure my house sitter agrees to the green rules
- Only buying eco-friendly jewellery
- Washing all my clothes in cold water - again only because I think warm/hot water shrink my clothes.
- Feeding my cat natural treats
- Showering in lukewarm, rather than hot, water
- No more gift cards unless they’re homemade from scrap paper
- Printing on both sides of the page
- Not using anymore Wite-Out
- Buying all my spices in bulk
- Putting a bottle of water in the toilet tank to reduce the amount used per flush
- Only buying eco-friendly shoes - - bought a pair, but only because they were cute.
- Using a hand-held bicycle pump rather than CO2 cylinders
- Using biodegradable soy-based peanuts or popcorn when sending packages in the mail
- Not wearing a gown at the doctor’s office - this could be awkward during a pap??
- Buying and donating clothes to Goodwill and other thrift stores
- Not using staples
- Using wind-up or solar-powered flashlights
- Getting indoor plants
- Only using natural perfume
- Only getting hand massages rather than using massage chairs or gadgets
- Using services like Brown Paper Ticket for shows and concerts
- Declining press kits at film screenings to save paper - because I am invited so often
- Eating only organic tubers (squash, eggplant, etc.)
- Greening my dating through GreenSingles.com or Green Drinks
- Not using anymore paper napkins
- Preserving jams and canning fruits
- Only buying used sports equipment
- Using all-natural, locally produced face cream
- Using revolving doors wherever possible
- Grooming my cat more often to prevent hairballs (and thus use less paper towel and water to clean them up)
- Buying alcohol in bulk (ie. kegs, 2L bottles of wine, etc) - she sure has alcohol related things on here a lot.
- Using coconut oil instead of K-Y jelly
- Wearing items of clothing twice or more, as long as they’re not dirty or smelly
- Taking smaller notes and using both sides of the page during interviews
- Not using toilet paper for peeing
- Natural bug extermination, ie. drowning fruit flies in wine or syrup
- Switching to a natural mouthwash
- No more using the Internet after dinner (unless it’s to update this blog)
- Not buying anymore DVDs
- Decreasing the margins on my Word documents
- Not going back on the birth control pill
- Signing up with a CSA for weekly delivery of local, organic produce
- Only purchasing ceramics from potters who recycle their clay
- Reusing envelopes
- Using towels a minimum of five times before washing them
- Eating only ethically raised and caught fish
- Cutting the end off the toothpaste tube when it’s almost done to scrape the last little bit out - although i have one of the tube roll things.
- Hanging the Do Not Disturb sign on hotel room doors so housekeeping doesn’t need to vacuum, change linens, replace toilettries, etc.
- Using incense or candles instead of artificial room fresheners
- Using chalkboards instead of whiteboards or flip charts
- Watering my outdoor plants at night instead of during the day
- Shaving in the sink instead of in the shower
- Cooking at a gentle boil instead of a rolling boil
- Using only sustainably made cutting boards
- Using water or homemade saline solution instead of synthetic eye drops
- Using Lunapads rather than disposable pads
- Getting my ice cream in a cone instead of a disposable cup - only because I love cones.
- Sticking to designated paths while hiking - only because it scares me to do otherwise, but really this applies when snowshoeing.
- Working from home at least two days a week
- Towelling off in the shower before stepping onto the bathmat
- Smiling at one person I don’t know every day
- Using parchment paper or cheesecloth instead of cling wrap
- Only buying wooden hangers, preferably used
- Swimming in natural bodies of water, not public pools
- Pulling the shower curtain open when finished so it dries properly and requires less cleaning
- Turning down the temperature on my water heater
- Using cash instead of credit or debit to minimize receipts - good idea.
- Getting cooking smells off my fingers with used green tea leaves rather than soap
- Voting for the Green Party
- Making sure I don’t pour grease down the drain
- Borrowing and sharing
- Soaking my dishes overnight so less water is needed to clean the tough stuff off
- Navy showers
- Letting my clothes air-dry on a rack, not in the dryer - again the shrinking issue.
- Not taking anymore supplements, vitamins, detox shakes, etc.
- Using scouring pads made from recycled plastic
- Only buying organic cotton underwear
- Making sure to use every last bit of shampoo/ketchup/etc in the bottle, using the “hit and swish” technique with some water
- Consuming every part of the pumpkin I carve for Halloween
- Going by the 10-second rule whenever I drop food on the floor
- Sharing my living space with a roommate whenever possible
- Using the Diva Cup instead of tampons - umm no
- Bringing my own reusable bib to the dentist’s - going a little far.
- Setting my desktop wallpaper to black, which uses less energy
- Eating my apple cores (and pear cores, etc) to waste less food - sounds kinda grose
- Only buying and playing eco-friendly games
- Chopping food up extra small before putting it in the food processor
- Not using anymore hand sanitizer
- Making a Halloween costume/decorations from clothes I already have
- Not using Post-It notes; scrap paper instead
- Emptying lint traps, cleaning filters on a regular basis
- No more Dustbuster
- Natural aloe-coated condoms instead of Trojan or Durex
- Not using any toothpicks
- Not buying anymore cheap umbrellas; using a sturdy big one and sharing it whenever possible
- Getting others to do green stuff that I can’t
- Drinking green tea instead of prescription drugs when having a nervous breakdown
- Enforced quiet time (no radio, stereo or other music)
- Using old socks and T-shirts for dish rags
- Switching to a natural carpet cleaner
- Not using the fan in my bathroom
- Properly disposing of electrical waste like old computers and cell phones
- Backing up my work with a USB stick rather than CDs
- Not bothering with any rubber charity wristbands or ribbon campaigns
- Reusing old floppy discs as coasters
- Driving the speed limit when I rent a Zipcar
- Drinking straight from the bottle
- Not using fruit and veggie wash or rinsing things for more than a second
- Knitting scarves instead of buying them
- Holding my hair up with a pen, chopstick or rubber band from my newspaper instead of buying more elastic bands or other hair accessories
- Polishing silverware with baking soda
- Cancelling magazine subscriptions, donating extras to the doctor’s office
- Buying used furniture and recovering it rather than getting new stuff
- Learning to sew and mend my own clothes
- Reusing a fake Christmas tree from last year, not buying ornaments
- Asking that others only buy me eco-friendly gifts
- Keeping my addresses on my computer rather than buying a paper notebook
- Using an all-natural shoe polish, like coconut oil
- Making my own soup broth instead of buying it
- Not using anymore tape
- Not shaving my legs anymore - if only
- Not consuming anything that contains or is manufactured with genetically modified corn (ie. high-fructose corn syrup, corn starch, ethanol, corn-fed beef, etc)
- Not using soap to wash my dishes unless there’s oil residue
- Only buying my beans dry, in bulk
- Having a regular “inside day”, staying at home and not buying anything - works well since I am a hermit.
- Adding an eco-friendly tip to my email signature
- Only drinking fair-trade tea
- Not buying any individually wrapped food
- No more downhill skiing (unless I carpool there, then haul my own ass up the hill)
- Only taking cabs fueled by natural gas
- Sticking to organic, raw honey
- Using couriers that use bikes, walking or public transit instead of cars and trucks
- Letting my dishes dry in the dishwasher rack with my houseplants beneath to collect the excess water dripping off
- Hand-whipping my whipped cream instead of using an electric blender
- Only buying organic, unbleached cotton towels
- Using up my change at the cash register
- Using a broom and dustpan instead of a vacuum
- Packing carry-on rather than check-in luggage
- No more paper towels
- Using scrap paper as bookmarks instead of buying new ones - I'm to cheap to buy them.
- Using manual tools rather than electric or battery-powered ones
- Using natural lipstick
- Organizing my stuff so I don’t lose things (and therefore don’t need to repurchase them)
- Going to the bathroom before I go on the plane - only because I hate airplane bathrooms.
- Only using a crank-up and/or solar-powered radio
- No more highlighters
- Making my own cosmetics and beauty products
- Using old books and shoe boxes as storage containers
- Only purchasing used kitchenware and appliances
- Restricting myself to cold water only for washing hands, face and dishes
- Using biodegradable chain lube for my bike
- Not buying anymore plastic whatsoever
- Choosing to use the subway transfers printed on recycled paper rather than the ones that come on laminated coloured paper
- Using a soap dish made from reclaimed chopsticks
- Collecting the elastic bands from my newspaper each morning and returning them to the delivery boy/girl
- Opting for a green-minded real estate company when buying/selling my house
- Only eating at restaurants that serve local and/or organic food, and offer eco-friendly take-out options
- Using Coccoina, an all-natural glue
- Getting used boxes for moving day - paperboxes from work, again to cheap to buy them.
- Using organic cotton produce bags and bulk-bin sacks
- Framing my art with reclaimed barn board and recycled glass
- Buying 100% recycled CD sleeves instead of jewel cases
- Going to an eco-conscious bike repair shop
- Shopping at green malls
- Only using the small burners on my stove
- Sending out electronic invites rather than paper ones
- Making fenders for my bike from old water bottles
- Having a green moving party — using cargo bikes, trolleys. man power and other carbon-free alternatives to vans and trucks - if we only had a trolly
- Eating all my skins (potato, carrot, cucumber, etc)
- Switching to an eco-conscious accountant for tax season
- Only buying handmade, bamboo or organic cotton blankets
- Commenting on other people’s decisions that aren’t very green, educating them about why it’s important to consider alternatives - I'm not to into this one
- Learning shorthand, so I take smaller notes and thus save paper
- Squeegee my shower tiles each day to prevent mildew and mould
- Enrolling in a butchering class to confront my meat-eating ways
- Only consuming organic maple syrup
- Buying a used mattress and boxspring - I have a hard time sleeping on hotel mattresses let alone this one.
- Screening my future tenants to ensure green practices throughout the household
- Signing up with Bullfrog Power, which puts wind and other green forms of power back onto the main energy grid
- Using a natural pumice stone to remove pilly fluff from sweaters instead of sending them to the drycleaners
- Planning out my routes, double-checking maps and directions to avoid getting lost on road trips (and thus preventing excess CO2 being emitted by the car)
- Shovelling snow and using sand instead of corrosive salt or antifreeze
- Installing a dual-flush toilet
- Buying low-VOC paints
- Setting up a rain barrel to collect water for plants, etc.
- Not wearing anymore makeup
- Using real, leftover wood for fires instead of artificial firelogs
- Not running lots of applications on my computer at once
- Restricting my diet to food within Ontario
- Using rechargeable batteries
- Closing my curtains at night to insulate the house - and I open the windows in the summer at night.
- Signing up for the local PeakSaver program to minimize pressure on the energy grid during peak hours
- Only buying recycled glass
- Taking the most direct flight instead of cheaper ones with stopovers
- Using natural, homemade furniture polish
- Purifying my indoor air without using a plug-in air purifier
- Tucking my pants into boots/socks to prevent them getting dirty I am so tall this one kinda already happens because my pant legs don't touch the ground
- Buying recycled wallpaper and homemade glue, or using stencils
- Using a service like Green Map when touring a city
- Going skinny dipping
- Helping push stuck cars out of the snow
- Covering holes in the wall with pictures instead of buying plaster
- Writing an eco-friendly funeral into my will
- Making my own stamps, or using lickable ones instead of stickers
- Writing poetry in haiku form only
- Recycling my old running shoes
- Deleting all spam and stale emails from my Gmail inbox
- Only buying fair-trade vanilla products
- Fixing other people’s green mistakes - i have been doing this for months and Becky just found out. I take her plastic bottles out of her garbage can. i am crazy I know.
Thanks for reading this post guys. It was a long one.
- Sleeping more
3 comments:
It must run in our genes...I love these things too. This one was a bit long, though, Jess.
Good job, though!
I only skimmed this to be totally honest, but let me tell you that number 217 will really change more than you realize. It makes everyday a good one! And you make me feel like a total slouch when it comes to saving the environment...
I only skimmed this to be totally honest, but let me tell you that number 217 will really change more than you realize. It makes everyday a good one! And you make me feel like a total slouch when it comes to saving the environment...
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